McLaren team principal sees problem with Norris' penalty: 'It's concerning'

"We checked all the data. Lando enters the sector when the yellow flag is displayed. But fair enough, the requirement is very clear. When there's a yellow sector, you are required to slow down, and this is the responsibility of the driver. So I think the penalty was deserved in that case," Stella explained honestly to GPblog and others.

Stella: 'The lack of specificity is very concerning'

"Is there an immediate danger for somebody? Is there a crash scene? Like the specificity of the incident in which the infringement was committed. The specificity leads to the proportion. The penalty needs to be commensurate, it needs to be proportioned to the severity of the infringement. Interestingly, the FIA themselves were going on and off with the yellow flag, and at some stage, the yellow flag was even removed, right? From a specificity point of view, how severe is the situation? So I think I'm here acknowledging that checking the data, Lando did not slow down, but the lack of any specificity and proportion is very concerning and is also a factor that could have a decisive impact on the championship quest," he spoke at length about the offence in the paddock of the Lusail International Circuit.

"It's material that the FIA needs to start looking at very carefully. It is an important matter. Every team has big stakes," the McLaren team boss told reporters. Norris' penalty meant he ended up in 10th place. He did still pick up the fastest race lap, earning a total of two points for the team. The gap between McLaren and Ferrari is now just 21 points, with just one race to go in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon.